Permitted reasons to enter Spain after 30 March 2021

The UK Government have published the following - please note this is subject to change and you must always check the following link for the latest information:

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/spain/entry-requirements#permitted

From 6pm (GMT+1) on 30 March 2021 (5pm / GMT in the Canary Islands), passenger travel between the UK and Spain will resume, however entry restrictions and testing requirements will remain in force. Only EU and Schengen state citizens, those who are legally resident in EU and associated Schengen states, or those who can demonstrate through documentary evidence an essential need to enter Spain, will be allowed to enter the country. Permitted circumstances include:

• Habitual residents of the European Union, Schengen States, Andorra, Monaco, The Vatican (Holy See) or San Marino; who are travelling to their country of residence and can duly accredit their residence status with documentary evidence.
• Holders of a long-stay visa issued by a Member State or Schengen Associated State, who are travelling onto said country.
• Health professionals, including health researchers, and elderly care professionals who are going to or returning from essential work.
• Transport personnel, seafarers and aeronautical personnel.
• Diplomatic, consular, international organizations, military, civil protection and members of humanitarian organizations.
• Students enrolled in courses starting after 1 January 2021 who carry out their studies in an EU Member or Schengen state and who have the corresponding permit or visa and medical insurance, provided that they are travelling to the country where they are studying, and that entry occurs during the academic year or 15 days previous. Students who started an on-site or in-person course in Spain prior to 1 January 2021 will not require a permit or visa to enter, but should be prepared to provide evidence of this, such as a residence document or proof of enrolment and accommodation (dated prior to 1 January 2021).
• Highly skilled essential workers whose work cannot be postponed or carried out remotely, including participants in high-level sports events due to take place in Spain.
• People traveling for imperative family reasons who can demonstrate an essential need to travel.

All of the circumstances above must be justified by documentary evidence. You should be aware that you may be questioned on arrival by Spanish border authorities to ensure you meet the entry requirements. Spanish border authorities will only grant entry if they are satisfied that your journey to Spain is essential and reserve the right to deny passage.

Transiting Spain by air

Until 6pm (GMT+1) on 30 March 2021 (5pm / GMT in the Canary Islands), international transit through Spanish airports by passengers on flights departing from the UK is only permitted if you are travelling to a country outside the Schengen area.

From 6pm (GMT+1) on 30 March 2021 (5pm / GMT in the Canary Islands), only residents of EU members states, Schengen countries, Andorra, Monaco, the Vatican City (Holy See) and San Marino; or holders of a long-stay visa issued by an EU or Schengen state, may transit Spain to their country of habitual residence.

Where permitted, transit times should be no more than 24 hours. Travellers must remain airside and must be able to present a negative PCR, TMA or LAMP test taken within no more than 72 hours prior to arrival into Spain.

Travellers due to transit through Spain on return to the UK, are allowed to transit through Spanish airports. You should be prepared to show evidence of your connecting flight. Should your transit involve passing through Spanish border control into Spanish territory, you may be required to present a negative PCR, TMA or LAMP test. Please contact your travel operator before departure.

Overland transit

Spain’s land borders are open, however travel restrictions, border controls and testing requirements may be in place depending on the country you are travelling from.

From 30 March, all overland travellers (by road or rail) from France are required to present a negative PCR, TMA or LAMP test taken within 72 hours prior to entering Spain. See Testing requirements for further information and exemptions. While these testing requirements don’t apply to overland travellers from Portugal, Andorra and Gibraltar, travel into Spain from all locations is limited. See Permitted reasons to enter Spain after 30 March 2021.

Portuguese authorities are enforcing border control checks at the land border with Spain. Only cross border workers, goods traffic and those entering or exiting Portugal to return to their usual place of residence will be granted passage. Rail and ferry connections between Spain and Portugal have been suspended. See FCDO travel advice for Portugal.

If you are travelling to Spain via Gibraltar, check the latest entry requirements and FCDO travel advice for Gibraltar. Spain have extended current travel restrictions from the UK until 6pm (GMT+1) on 30 March 2021. While restrictions are in place you will only be able to enter Spain via Gibraltar if you are a Spanish national, you are legally resident in Spain or Gibraltar or a cross border worker. You will be asked to show documentation to prove you meet the criteria above.

Inter-regional travel is permitted, providing your point of origin and destination do not fall within a confined area where entry and exit restrictions are in place. Transiting confined areas to reach your final destination is permitted, however you should be prepared to show evidence of your onward journey such as train or flight tickets to your final destination. See Coronavirus for further information.

If travelling with people who are not from the same household, all passengers must wear a face mask covering the nose and mouth. Penalties may be imposed if you do not comply. See Use of face-masks.

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